Economic Development Cowichan (EDC) has hired a restart coordinator for a one year term aiding communities with plans of varying degrees. This can range from applying for grants to actively working on larger planning projects. The CBIA and Chamber of Commerce have had some great meetings with them. We are asking them for help to ask the Municipality for some accountability with regards to the revitalization plan and hope to re-institute an advisory style council with a refreshed group of local stakeholders dedicated to drive change. This is all very fundamental to the Town and the beginnings of some future changes. This is all very exciting but requires a sufficient amount of work to bring past information to the table along with the meetings and planning taking place/to come.
Chemainus small business employee attraction and retention
Local businesses in Chemainus struggling to attract and retain employees (as discussed in the Buy Local meeting)
Immediate need and urgency for businesses to be staffed in order for businesses to survive
Not a Chemainus only challenge, but for the Village of Chemainus the most immediate concern for Economic Development/Recovery
A trend that is not short-term, will only be exacerbated by demographic and housing affordability over time
Critical that this need be addressed for long-term survival of small businesses
Opportunity to provide resources to businesses
Particularly an information session, speaker series, with incentives, would be valuable
Virtual event, or in-person event if time allows – agreed that in-person would be preferable
Need brilliant speakers that businesses will want to listen to, impactful and charismatic
If in-person possible, potential to have swag bags, individual snacks, etc. to incentivize attendance
Hosting on a Monday when lots of businesses are closed
Business Week may be to tight a timeline, potential for the new year
Any grants available to pay for speakers, purchase honorariums, rent space, etc.
Work with Town of Ladysmith, Crofton, Duncan BIA – connect with Johnna and Andrea
Village of Chemainus revitalization
Actions and objectives of the revitalization plan from 2011 somewhat implemented
As time progressed the revitalization plan has become less of a priority for the municipality
Certain actions within the plan not realistic, relies on private developer actions which municipality has no control
Municipality developing the Bell McKinnon Plan, concern that economic development efforts will be focused there and not in Chemainus
Concern that Chemainus will be left behind in overall municipal Economic Development
Revitalization would support attraction of more small businesses to locate in the Village
Timberlands area not a realistic development; other larger initiatives have not been a priority (waterfront, etc.)
Consultation by municipality occurred in 2018 about the OCP, also consultation for active transportation, then have not heard anything further
Chemainus needs to have a voice in municipal development, opportunity to work with planners
Signage in and around Chemainus
Signage a challenge at the municipal, provincial, and federal level
Signage around Chemainus not relevant to businesses and attractions
Directional signs not useful
Signage is on municipal land, but municipality does not have funding nor capacity to update signs
Possibility for BIA to take on updating signs, but legally and logistically Municipality has not figured this out
Potential for a temporary sign permit that is renewed every year; language in the sign bylaw doesn’t allow for this (potential for different interpretation)
Previously working with engineering department and Chris (planner)
Chemainus BIA maintains three large billboards on the side of the Highway; these have been grandfathered in under Federal Transportation law
Billboards are on municipal land, previous agreement that BIA would be responsible for maintenance, agreement has expired but municipality very clear that BIA is the owner of these signs and must maintain
Can only ask for so much, because federal government could take away the signs
Provincial level the community has been designated as a Thoroughfare community (previously was not defined that way)
As a Thoroughfare cannot have as much signage along the highway (as opposed to Duncan, who can have more signage now)
Since being reclassed/designated as Thoroughfare, have seen drop in visitors, not signage to promote community on highway
One-off projects or initiatives ideas to bring in visitors to the Village
Grants available for outdoor community spaces
Grants for festivals organize a fall themed festival
BIA and Chamber could assist with funding
First Nations archway project currently in progress, potential to assist with that
Potential projects within the revitalization plan, any ‘quick wins’ that community can do, wouldn’t need municipality
Action steps:
Chloe to review signage bylaw and other signage legal documents
Emily to contact Andrea from Ladysmith Chamber, set up a working group for the speaker series
Chloe to review revitalization plan, potential to organize group of stakeholders to revisit and review the plan, then advocate for further development on the plan
Chloe to see if grant or funding opportunities for any of the above discussed
Comentários